Four of Hearts, The Meet, from Harlequin Cards, 2nd Series (N220) issued by Kinney Bros. 1889

This Harlequin Card, “Four of Hearts, The Meet”, was distributed by the Kinney Bros. Tobacco Company as a promotional item. These cards, popular in the late 19th century, provide a fascinating lens through which we can examine the cultural values and social hierarchies of the time. The image depicts a fox hunt, a leisure activity synonymous with the upper classes of British and American society. Note how this pastime embodies a complex interplay of social status, gender roles, and human-animal relations. The figures, dressed in traditional hunting attire, exude an air of authority and privilege. The card reflects a world where the pursuit of pleasure is intertwined with displays of wealth and power. This image perpetuates the notion of a select few who have the means to engage in such elaborate displays of dominance over both nature and the lower classes who are excluded from this activity. Consider how the production and distribution of such cards by the tobacco industry contributed to the normalization of these values, shaping the desires and aspirations of a broad audience.